Baseball

“I wrote 63 songs this year. They’re all about Jeter.” Just kidding. The game we love, the players we hate, and more.

Culture and Criticism

From Norman Mailer to Wendy Pepper — everything on film, TV, books, music, and snacks (shut up, raisins), plus the Girls’ Bike Club.

Donors Choose and Contests

Helping public schools, winning prizes, sending a crazy lady in a tomato costume out in public.

Stories, True and Otherwise

Monologues, travelogues, fiction, and fart humor. And hens. Don’t forget the hens.

The Vine

The Tomato Nation advice column addresses your questions on etiquette, grammar, romance, and pet misbehavior. Ask The Readers about books or fashion today!

The Vine: May 2, 2012
May 2, 2012 · 21 Comments
The Vine: May 2, 2012

This might be a “friendships have a lifespan” question, but it seems a little more complicated than that, and I could use some perspective.
“C” and I have been friends since college. She is a year …

Girls 103: Is this about the scarf?
April 30, 2012 · One Comment
<I>Girls</I> 103: Is this about the scarf?

From my Girls recap of “All Adventurous Women Do” over at Press Play:
He walks off to enjoy being That Guy and wearing his blazer collar turned up. Marnie rushes inside, locks herself in a bathroom, and …

Out With The Crowd: “This is not a feat, people!”
April 29, 2012 · 16 Comments
Out With The Crowd: “This is not a feat, people!”

Welcome to Out With The Crowd, a series of interviews with fans of each of the 30 MLB teams about their hopes, frustrations, and predictions for the 2012 season.
In the leadoff spot is an Athletic …

The Vine: April 27, 2012
April 27, 2012 · 30 Comments
The Vine: April 27, 2012

My younger sister is about to have her first baby. I am thrilled for her and have been very supportive — gave her all my baby gear, lots of advice (mostly when asked for, heh), …

Recently in the Snacksiverse: Reel 17E, Pizza Pringles
April 26, 2012 · 5 Comments
Recently in the Snacksiverse: Reel 17E, Pizza Pringles

Lately in the Field Guide to Revolting Snacks: pizza-flavored Pringles!

The Vine: April 25, 2012
April 25, 2012 · 65 Comments
The Vine: April 25, 2012

My daughter told me today that she really, really, really does not want to participate in her upcoming high-school graduation ceremony. I think I’m okay with this, but…
On the one hand I am thrilled to …

Girls 102: He’s not your boyfriend
April 23, 2012 · No Comment
<I>Girls</I> 102: He’s not your boyfriend

From my recap of Girls 102, “Vagina Panic,” at Press Play:
Hannah then gets concerned that Adam thinks she’s too flip about the issue, because of course it’s a big deal—but the dialogue raises some interesting, sticky …

The Vine: April 20, 2012
April 20, 2012 · 47 Comments
The Vine: April 20, 2012

Since you have so many well-traveled and/or UK-based readers, I thought this time-sensitive issue I’ve been puzzling over would be perfect for an Ask the Readers. In short, the Life Partner and I will be traveling …

Recently in the Snacksiverse: Reel 22A
April 19, 2012 · 5 Comments
Recently in the Snacksiverse: Reel 22A

In case you missed it, the latest from the Revolting Snacks lab:
Streetos!
Shrimp crackers!

The Vine: April 18, 2012
April 18, 2012 · 12 Comments
The Vine: April 18, 2012

I’m not the parent, but a very supportive godmother to my goddaughter, who is a sophomore dance and biology major. She is highly motivated, takes a heavy course load, is making all As, and realistic …